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Rian Johnson Unfazed by Star Wars Backlash, Eyes Knives Out

1/19/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Rian Johnson, director of Star Wars films, rejected Kathleen Kennedy's claim that backlash influenced his decision, stating, "Lol zero spooked, sorry."
Kathleen Kennedy, former Lucasfilm president, said Johnson's focus shifted to the Knives Out franchise.
The Last Jedi drew mixed reactions from fans but was a critical success, grossing over $1.3 billion.
Johnson remains open to future Star Wars projects and is currently focused on Knives Out.

History

Historical Context

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi," released on December 15, 2017, grossed over $1.3 billion, sparking intense fan debates over its creative direction under Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. This controversy echoes past Hollywood disputes, such as the backlash against "Batman v Superman" in 2016, highlighting the ongoing struggle filmmakers face in reconciling artistic vision with audience expectations.

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Story summary

Rian Johnson, director of Star Wars films, rejected Kathleen Kennedy's claim that backlash influenced his decision, stating, "Lol zero spooked, sorry."
Kathleen Kennedy, former Lucasfilm president, said Johnson's focus shifted to the Knives Out franchise.
The Last Jedi drew mixed reactions from fans but was a critical success, grossing over $1.3 billion.
Johnson remains open to future Star Wars projects and is currently focused on Knives Out.

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